Cincinnati Bengals' Adam Jones punched woman, witnesses say

CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones punched a woman after she poured beer on him when he insulted her and her friends, witnesses and a prosecutor said Monday at his trial on an assault charge.

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones appeared in court Monday for his trial on an assault charge.
(Al Behrman/Associated Press)

Jones, who has had a spate of legal troubles, has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor assault stemming from the June 5 nightclub dispute. He could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted by the Hamilton County Municipal Court judge.

Jones' attorney said in opening statements that Jones was the victim and that the woman struck first, hitting him with a beer bottle.

But Assistant City Prosecutor Christopher Ryan said the woman, Shannon Wesley, wasn't going to tolerate Jones' insults and was standing up for herself and the other women with her.

"The blow caused her head to snap back," Ryan said, adding that it knocked her to the ground.

Ryan said Wesley suffered bruises, scrapes, neck pain and a headache.

Wesley's friend Brooke Boling testified that Jones came up to a railing on the patio outside the bar and was insulting them. She said he kept calling them names and that's when Wesley leaned over the railing and poured beer on his shoulder.

She said Wesley didn't touch Jones with the bottle.

Witnesses described Jones as being angry and loud. A security employee at the nightclub testified he heard women's screams and saw arms flailing.

"It looked like he was very furious, upset and mad," Nick Trotta said.

The trial is expected to resume Tuesday afternoon with testimony from Wesley and the surveillance video.